This school year for Pierce’s band has started near flawlessly. The music has been top-notch quality and the transition in directors has been very smooth.

Oscar Thorp is the new music director for the Pierce College Concert Band. Thorp worked with Pierce last year as a half player half director for the final concert. Having some experience with this band has proven to be immensely helpful for both him as well as returning musicians.

For the first concert of the year on December 2^nd, the band has constructed a nautical themed set with features like ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Of Sailors and Whales’. Every song brings an individual style and musical swagger. The songs and styles flow well together, similarly to how the musicians in the band blend their talents together.

Last year, the percussion section of the band was lacking in mere numbers. During the last rehearsal, the percussion section number jumped from 2 players to 5. The brass section returned almost everyone from the previous quarter, while adding a few great players to bolster the powerful foundation that had already been developed. New woodwinds have given the “lighter” sections of the band a wonderful harmony and richness.

The concerts this year will feature not only the band as a whole, but also some small ensembles playing pieces before the concerts start.  

            The lead trumpet player was quoted as saying “All together, this is a band that can deliver power and blow the roof off the house, but can also feel the moments in the pieces to bring the music to life with grace and elegance.”

 The band is hoping to create a jazz band for the college soon. The band will also be working with the choir at different time throughout the year. This is an exciting time for the music program at Pierce.

            For more information about the concert dates and times, please visit http://www.pierce.ctc.edu/dept/music/.